Bridgerton season 2’s story takes season 1’s final shot of the bee and changes its meaning in two ways, making it both a tragedy and a core part of Anthony and Kate’s romance. Bridgerton season 1 had several bees hidden throughout, appearing on everything from Eloise’s hair to door knockers, but the most significant came in the final scene. The shot of a bumblebee on Daphne’s window sill after she had given birth was a curious image to end things on, but provides a nice setup for the events that unfold in season 2.

Following on from that, Bridgerton season 2 gives far greater context to the bee as it expands the story. It confirms, as book readers already knew, that Edmund Bridgerton was killed by a bee sting, with flashbacks to the terrible moment of his death. At the same time, though, it uses the bee for far more than filling in gaps in its story, instead turning it into an even greater symbol for its characters, especially Anthony.

Although the bee in Bridgerton season 1’s final shot suggested an exploration of Edmund’s death to those in the know, the exploration of it makes for a particularly tragic story. It isn’t just the Edmund’s death came after happy father/son bonding and that it was such a seemingly innocuous moment, but that Anthony had to witness the entire thing, his father dying in his arms. Bridgerton season 2’s explanation for the bee simultaneously explains Anthony’s entire character, such as why he’s so closed off, refuses to love, and is completely sworn to his duty as the head of the Bridgerton family. However, Bridgerton also flips this on its head, using a bee to then draw Anthony out of himself and learn to love again thanks to a key scene where Kate is also stung.

With its Edmund scenes, Bridgerton season 2 makes season 1’s bee shot feel more sinister, like a warning of what’s to come. It also shows the full weight of what happened, placing so much so immediately upon young Anthony’s shoulders, not even allowing him the chance to properly grieve because he had to step up and take care of his family, essentially forcing him to become this way. With that information, then it makes him a far more sympathetic and tragic figure, with greater context to his actions and treatment of both himself and others, and makes him a more fully rounded character a result.

In a surprising contrast, the bee scene in Anthony and Kate’s story is a very different moment. When Kate is stung by a bee, it brings all of Anthony’s worst fears and recurring nightmares to the surface, but it also ignites a spark between the two characters. The moment where they first touch and move closer, clearly wanting to kiss and confused by that, is one filled with sexual tension, longing, and desire, making it Bridgerton season 2’s sexiest scene and as hot as any of season 1’s many sex scenes. It takes what was a tragedy and makes it about passion and, ultimately, love, the bee scene the first time their feelings really come to light.

In the books, a similar moment leads to the pair getting married because of the compromising position they were put in, and a need to protect their honor. Bridgerton season 2 changes Anthony and Kate’s book story, and it’s a smart decision. Instead, this allows things to build more naturally, and the bee sting leads to other moments of passion and temptation that continue until they can no longer deny their feelings. Rather than being another part of Anthony’s honor and duty, which Bridgerton‘s bees have always kept him bound too, it’s instead the beginning for what sets him free.